Desires are the cause for one's subservience to the world. The more the desires, the more dependent one becomes. With the reduction of desires, a person becomes liberated. And self-sufficiency marks the dignity of the human being, while all other creatures stay dependant upon the world.

Plants are wholly dependent upon the natural environment around them. a plant will die if there is no water at its roots. Plenty of water a few metres away is of no avail. Animals are less dependent that plants, yet controlled by the environment. Carnivores would starve to death without flesh but cannot switch to vegetation. Neither can herbivores change to meat-eating. Animals live a constricted, restricted life. A human being alone can live free from the influence of the objects and beings of the world.

A person infested with desires needs material wealth and possessions to keep himself happy. As he drops his desires the need for material prosperity diminishes. And when left with least desires he would remain content with frugal means. These facts of life establish the fundamental difference between richness and poverty. You are rich when your desires are less than your wealth.

And poor when your desires exceed your wealth. In today’s developed countries people’s desires have far exceeded their material wealth. Their excessive desires cause mental agitation and stress in their lives. The solution, therefore, lies in controlling and disciplining your spiraling desires. Learn to become more self-sufficient and less dependent on the material world. Your are then truly rich.

A village was submerged in a deluge. A man managed to climb a tree. And clung on to one of its branches. A bird was perched on a neighbouring branch. Torrential floods continued to flow below. Both man and bird were resting on the branches. But their statuses were different. The man was totally dependent on the branch. If the branch were to  break he would perish in the waters below. Whereas the bird relied on its wings, not on the branch. So it is with human life. In the flood of desires make use of the world for your pleasure and joy. But do not become dependent upon it. For, when the world does not cater to your desires you suffer from mental tension. But a liberated person endowed with Knowledge of the Self is like the bird with wings free from stress and strain.